The ABC TV Series: War on Waste, which first aired in May 2017, raised public awareness about our thoughtless over consumption of finite natural resources.
When China raised their contamination standards and the unsustainable practices of local recycling plants become apparent, the waste problem became a full blown global, national and local crisis.
Recognising that waste and recycling were issues affecting everyone, GS decided to establish a War on Waste action group to campaign for stronger legislation, innovative solutions and community education.
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UN SDG 12:
Ensure sustainable
consumption and production patterns
Key Outcomes
Our community is aware and informed about the waste crisis, the waste hierarchy, local recycling options and the value of a circular economy
People are empowered to live more sustainably
Federal, state and local governments have implemented effective waste and resource recovery legislation to promote efficient use of natural resources and drive the transition to a circular economy
For the region to be realising the potential for regional employment through new recycling industries
For food losses along production and supply chains to be significantly reduced
For food waste to be totally removed from landfill
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Waste Hierarchy
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Why we need a circular economy
Current activities and focus
Encouraging people to rethink, refuse, reduce, repair, reuse items
Promoting minimalism so we can be more with less
Reminding people to take their reusables and say no to single-use plastics
Educating the public to #Recycle Right to reduce contamination in yellow kerbside bins
Educating people to waste less food and to compost scraps to regenerate the soil
Encouraging people to separate soft plastics for REDcycling
Participating in community clean ups and advocating for a plastic-free sea
Supporting the transition to zero waste festivals and community events through our wash against waste services
Advocating for local councils to establish a materials recycling facility (MRF) in our region
Supporting local cafes to better manage food waste and recycling through a Green Cafes program
Campaigning against waste-to-energy option to incinerate leftover co-mingled recyclables
Advocating for a regional food organics recycling scheme to stop food waste going to landfill
Advocating for close-the-loop thinking and a fast transition to a circular economy